Detroit crime: 'Give them what they want, and they'll still kill you'

Daryl Eckridge, a neighbor to a woman who fatally shot an alleged home invasion suspect, speaks out.
Detroit Free Press

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Cynthia Wright, 48, of Detroit talks about her neighbors Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 from her living room. An alleged self-defense shooting took place just a few houses from hers. "I don't have a gun, I don't want a gun but I might have to have one." said Wright.
(Photo: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)Buy Photo

Wright's neighbor ended up fatally shooting a man after he accosted her and two other women as they were leaving for church on Sunday morning and forced them back inside their home. The incident has made Wright even more vigilant.

"I don't have a gun, I don't want a gun, but I might have to have one," she said, adding that her daughter legally owns a firearm.

Break-ins and robberies have been happening more frequently in the weeks leading up to Christmas and the colder months, she said. The night before the incident, Wright said she was startled by "unusual banging" on her door about 8:30 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., but didn't see who came by.

"They're getting desperate," said Wright, 48. "You can give them what they want, and they'll still kill you. ... You're leaving out the house and they charge you back in."

On Sunday, police said, a man his 30s approached Wright's 55-year-old neighbor and two other women, ages 75 and 29, in the driveway of their home in the 9000 block of Mark Twain Street.

As the women were getting ready to leave for church, the man forced them back inside.

According to police, Wright's neighbor grabbed a gun and fired two shots, striking the man at least once in the chest. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Detroit police say a man who invaded this home on the city's west side was fatally shot by one of the residents. (Editor's note: This photo has been altered to obscure the street address.)(Photo: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

A 29-year-old who was at the home Monday told the Free Press that she was involved in the incident, but declined to share her name or further details.

"I'm still in disbelief," she said.

Wright, who lives in the neighborhood with her daughter and grandkids, said the neighbors who were targeted are "good people."

Wright said their street participates in weekly neighborhood watch meetings, but she has found herself still taking precautions, like making sure someone else is home before retrieving groceries or picking up packages.

"I would tell everyone to be cautious and careful," she said. "Regardless of where you live. ... Theft is everywhere."

Yet Wright remains steadfast, and she said she's going to continue securing her home and celebrate the holidays with her family.

"I'm not moving. ... I'm standing my ground and I'm not moving," she said. "This is what I have; this is what the Lord has blessed me with."

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Cynthia Wright, 48, of Detroit talks about her neighbors Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 from her living room. An alleged self-defense shooting took place just a few houses from hers. "I don't have a gun, I don't want a gun but I might have to have one." said Wright.
(Photo: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

Daryl Eckridge, 66, who lives a street over, said he often checks on his uncle who lives in the neighborhood. He said they neighbors who were targeted on Sunday are "real nice people" who stay to themselves.

Eckridge said it has gotten more important to arm yourself and protect what's yours — he also has a gun at home.

Back in the day, he said people with ill intentions wouldn't come by if you were at your home or would leave you alone if you were old, but nowadays, "they figure you're just an easy target."

"You have to do what you have to do. I hope it doesn't bother her what happened," Eckridge said. "Who knows what would have happened if she hadn't (fired the gun). ... I think it's more than justified."

More women are turning to gun ownership to keep safe.

Firearms trainer Rick Ector said his Taylor-based company, Legally Armed, has seen a steady increase in the number of women taking free training he offers annually, from about 50 in 2012 to about 600 in 2017.

Ector told the Free Press in May 2017 that women sign up because they see themselves as "easier targets" for predators.